Fresh From the Catskills on WIOX Community Radio 91.3FM: Winter conferences & poultry farm for sale

January 13: Lucky Dog Local Food Hub Producing for the Hub Workshop, the second in a series of workshops specifically for farmers interested in "Producing for the Hub" will be held from 10 a.m. to Noon at Lucky Dog Farm Store, Main Street, Hamden. This workshop is free and open to the public, but specifically to farmers selling through the Hub now or looking to do so in the future. Learn of the next steps and requirements for working with the Hub and exploring opportunities to expand your farm sales. This workshop will be a facilitated discussion about producer needs and questions. Complete the RSVP survey to better help frame the discussion.

January 16: 11th Annual Catskill Regional Agriculture Conference will be hosted by CCE-Delaware and the Watershed Agricultural Council on Thursday, January 16 from 9 a.n. to 3:30 p.m. at SUNY-Delhi's Farrell Hall. A lineup of nationally and regionally renowned speakers will talk on relevant topics in the areas of dairy, livestock, and vegetable production as well as grazing management. Conference registration opens at 9:30 a.m. Two early-bird sessions start at 10 a.m. At 11:00 the Dairy, Livestock, and Grazing and Vegetable tracks begin. The lunchtime keynote speaker is Dr. George Conneman, renowned professor emeritus of farm management at Cornell University who will present “General, Miscellaneous, and All Other” a light hearted and poignant tour of life lessons learned from his nearly 60 years of working with farm families in New York. Pre-registration by January 10 is requested. Conference details and online registration are available or call Kim Holden at 607-865-7090, ext. 241. Pre-registration fee is $25 per person and includes lunch and materials. Late registrations will be accepted at the door for $35; lunch availability may be limited.

January 24-26: NOFA-NY Winter Conference 2014 will be at the Saratoga Hilton in Saratoga Springs. A wide range of workshops from dairy farming to urban gardening, from food policy to business planning plus a special children's conference, entertainment, and the most delicious meals made from food donated by regional  NY organic farmers.  This conference is designed to inspire, inform, and provide an unparalleled opportunity for networking and reciprocal teaching and learning. Pure Catskills will be on hand at the tradeshow. See you at the Farm Hack!

January 25: Schoharie Watershed Summit
will be hosted by Greene County Soil & Water Conservation District at the Hunter Elementary School, NYS Route 23A in the village of Hunter. Learn how changing climate affects storm mitigation and planning. Continuing education credits for municipal officials, code enforcement officers and other agency workers. Register by January 16; click here for a brochure of all the sessions.

SAVE THE DATE February 16: TIME TO CONNECT TO KEEPING IT LOCAL hosted by  CCE-Sullivan at the Gerald Skoda Education Center in Liberty. At 9:30 a.m., join a roundtable discussion about "What Works and What Doesn’t." For farmers, producers, chefs and food establishment owners who wish to source locally produced agricultural products, this discussion will include seasonal demands, food hub services, ordering, distribution and delivery. Trade show and exhibits from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. is open to the public at no charge. Contact MariaGrimaldi, Special Projects Coordinator at CCE-Sullivan for trade show registration/application (845) 292-6180. 

Cocked, Locked & Ready to Go: Turn-key poultry operation available complete with bird inventory, starter flocks, eggs, farm infrastructure and established markets in Albany and NYC. Cooper's Ark Farm also has a name in handicapped population agritourism. Call Phil at (518) 295-7662 about transitioning Cooper's Ark Farm to your new farm venture.


WAC 20th videos of award recipient speeches from Richard Giles, Dr. Ken Jaffe, the Darling Family, Dan Palm and Fred Huneke, as well as perspectives from DEP Deputy Commissioner Paul Rush, NRDC NYS Director Eric Goldstein, American Farmland Trust's NYS Director David Haight and NYS Assemblyman Pete Lopez. Thank you to our Business Supporters -- Rettew Engineering and Catskill Mountain Forestry Services -- for helping us recognize these individuals. Thanks also go to Farm Credit East, ACA: Lost Lake Inc.; Robinson Bros. Excavating; and Energy Service Providers for their contributions.

Plant the Seed of Inspiration This Winter: WIOX Watershed Wake-up Call

Celebrating 20 Years video speeches at Vimeo.com: The Council celebrated two decades of clean drinking water through working landscapes on at the 20th Anniversary Celebration & Recognition Awards Ceremony on Friday, November 8 on the SUNY-Delhi Campus. Five local environmental stewards were recognized:

Watershed Steward Award: Fred Huneke, Thorn-Ridge Farm

Watershed Agricultural Program Award: Dar-View Farms

Pure Catskills Business Award (2 recipients): Richard Giles, Ken Jaffe

Karl Connell Award: Dan Palm

Special thanks to our 20th Anniversary Celebration & Recognition Awards Ceremony Business Sponsors: Rettew Engineering and Catskill Mountain Forest Services. Additional monetary support was provided by Farm Credit East, ACA, Lost Lake Inc.; Robinson Bros. Excavating; and Energy Service Providers.

PLANT THE SEED OF INSPIRATION with these winter workshops...

JANUARY 13, 10 a.m. - noon: Lucky Dog Local Food Hub Producing for the Hub Workshop #2: Producer Needs Identification at Lucky Dog Farm Store, Main Street, Hamden. Cost is $35 includes local foods luncheon, walk-ins welcome. Sponsored by CADE and Pure Catskills, this farmer-focused workshop will assist those selling through the Hub to meet standards and requirements for distribution. Click here for all the details and to complete a survey that will help guide the discussion.

 

JANUARY 16, 10 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.: Catskill Regional Agriculture Conference at SUNY Delhi Farrell Hall, Delhi. Cost is $35 includes local foods luncheon; pre-register by January 4. Sponsored by CCE Delaware County and the Council, this farmer-focused conference holds tracks farm management workshops including:.

10 a.m. - Early-Bird Sessions: OSHA Inspections/Farm Safety or Toxic Plants

11 a.m. - Dairy, Livestock, Grazing or Vegetables Tracks

Noon - Local Food Luncheon with George Conneman, Cornell University

1:40 & 2:40 p.m. - Tracks continue

Download the Catskill Regional Agriculture Conference brochure here. Register online by January 4 or call Kim Holden at (607) 865-7090.

 

JANUARY 25, 9 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.: 8th Annual Schoharie Watershed Summit: Consequences of Inaction in a Changing Climate at Hunter Elementary School, State Route 23, Hunter. Cost is free. Hosted by Greene County Soil & Water Conservation District Schoharie Watershed Program. Consequences of Inaction in a Changing Climate will focus on climatic patterns of the Schoharie Watershed region and the importance of integrating climate change information into response and hazard mitigation plans. Join us as we explore historical climate patterns for the region, how we can adapt by implementing flood mitigation measures, and what communities can do to plan for the future. FMI or to register: Michelle Yost 518-589-6871

 

JANUARY 24-26: NOFA-NY Winter Conference: Preserving the Past, Seeding the Future at Saratoga Hilton, Saratoga Springs. Cost: as per workshop attendance $80-$275. Pure Catskills will be in the tradeshow area again this year and sponsoring NOFA-NY's hallmark weekend conference. Farmers, wannabes and backyard gardeners gather for refreshers, intensives and social outings. Not to be missed! Find the full roster of workshops here and register online. FMI: Stephanie Backer-Bertsch, Registration Coordinator

 

FEBRUARY 1, 10 a.m. - Noon: Backyard Maple Production at the Agroforestry Resource Center, 6055 State Route 23, Acra. Cost is $10. February is the perfect time to start planning your maple sugaring exploration, as maple season is right around the corner. Tapping maple trees and making maple syrup is one of the most time honored winter rural traditions, resulting in a delicious product. This workshop will introduce you to maple syrup production. Ron Frisbee, CCE natural resource educator, is a third generation maple producer, who has been tapping maple trees since he was a youth. The program will also include a tour of the Agroforestry Resource Center’s Maple Sugar House. To register, contact CCE Greene County at (518) 622-9820 ext. 0.

 

FEBRUARY 16: Community Supported Agriculture and Restaurant Supported Agriculture Trade Show and Conference at Gerald Skoda Education Center, 64 Ferndale-Loomis Road, Liberty 12754. Pre-register by January 15.

Hosted by Cornell Cooperative Extension of Sullivan County, TIME TO CONNECT TO KEEPING IT LOCAL addresses today's local issues on strengthening our food systems. Connect directly with producers of locally grown meats, vegetable, dairy and value-added products through a CSA or direct delivery.

9:30-10:30 What Works and What Doesn’t
A Roundtable Discussion for farmers, producers, chefs and food establishment owners who wish to source locally produced agricultural products. Discussion will include seasonal demands, food hub services, ordering, distribution and delivery.

10:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Trade Show and Exhibits
Trade Show is open to the public at no charge. Anyone interested in buying local food for their business or family for the 2014 season is urged to attend.

FMI: Maria Grimaldi, Special Projects Coordinator, for trade show registration/application 845 292-6180

 

SAVE THE DATE-MARCH 30: 5th Annual Farm to Market Connection at SUNY Sullivan, Loch Sheldrake. Cost:: $35 includes a local foods lunch; pre-register by March 23. Pure Catskills and the Council host this gathering of farmers, buyers, distributors and food system supporters to make connections to move products from the farm out into the market. Tracks for new farmers, on expanding markets and scaling up round out the day. A full roster of workshops and online registration will be availble February 1. FMI: Beth McKellips (607) 865-7090, ext. 217

 

You too can recognize the Council's 20-year milestone with a donate to the Conservation Easement Stewardship Fund. Donate online at nycwatershed.org/donate.

Thanks to Phyllis Horowitz for sharing time on Watershed Wake-up Call and What's Fresh From the Catskills on WIOX-FM.

Fresh From the Catskills Pre-Holiday Buzz

Hark that "Shop Small" carol and purchase from Catskills businesses this season! Thanks to all who joined the movement to "Shop Small" and who shared their favorites places and gift ideas. Check out the Fresh From the Catskills Holiday Gift Guide Page for a dozen easy reference breakouts for honey, maple, fiber, caterers, and more.

Fifteen stores that will cut your shopping time in half. http://www.buypurecatskills.com/pdfs/CATSKILLS-GIFT-GUIDE-2013-LocalStores.pdf

Ulster County
Apple Bin Farm Market
Peter & Loretta Scaturro
810 Broadway (Route 9W)
Ulster Park, NY 12487
(845) 339-7729
www.theapplebinfarmmarket.com

TheGreenSpace
Craig Henkle
73B Broadway
Kingston, NY 12401
(845) 417-7178
www.shopthegreenspace.com

Mother Earth Store House
300 Kings Mall Court
Kingston, NY 12401
(845) 336-5541
www.motherearthstorehouse.com

Sunflower Natural Foods Market
Bob Whitcomb & Roz Balkin
75 Mill Hill Road
Woodstock, NY 12498
(845) 679-5361
www.sunflowernatural.com

Delaware County
Barlow’s General Store
Glen & Rachel Phillips-Gaetano
4487 County Route 14
Treadwell, NY 13846
(607) 829-8555

Good Cheap Food (Delaware County)
Faiga Brussel
53 Main Street
Delhi, NY 13753
(607) 746-6562
www.goodcheapfooddelhi.com

Lucky Dog Farm (Delaware County)
Holley White
35796 State Highway 10
Hamden, NY 13782
(607) 746-9898
www.luckydogorganic.com

Wades Towne and Country Florist and
Gift Shoppe (Delaware County)
Mischell Wade
79 Main Street
Stamford, NY 12167
(607) 652-2500
www.wadestowneandcountryflorist.com

Sullivan County
Callicoon Natural Foods & Juice Bar
Patti Devine
33A Lower Main Street
Callicoon, NY 12723
(845) 887-6008
www.callicoonnatural.com

Eureka Market & Café
Jennifer Grimes
7991 State Route 55
Grahamsville, NY 12740
(845) 985-5152
www.eureka-market.com

Java Love Coffee Roasting Co.
Jodie Dawson
1577 NY State Route 17B
White Lake, NY 12786
(845) 583-4082
www.javaloveroasters.com

Main Street Farm
49 Main Street
Livingston Manor, NY 12758
(845) 439-4309
www.mainstreetfarm.com

The Cutting Garden
Anne Hart
4055 State Route 52
Youngsville, NY 12791
(845) 482-3333
www.thecuttinggarden.org

Vita’s Farm and Garden Market
4789 State Route 52
Jeffersonville, NY 12748
(845) 482-5776

Schoharie County
The Olde Corner Store
Joy Heckman
133 Factory Street
Gallupville, NY 12073
(518) 872-1610
www.theoldecornerstore.com

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

WAC is accepting applications for Easement Program Director, Acquisitions Coordinator out of the Hamden office and an engineering tech position out of our East of Hudson office.

Western Catskills Community Revitalization Council (WCCRC) seeks candidates for a full-time Property Manager position located in Grand Gorge and Stamford, NY. Qualified candidates are invited to send a cover letter, including salary requirements, and résumé via e-mail to info@westerncatskills.org.


EVENTS

Ideuma Creek Alpacas Holiday Store
 Dec 14th, 2013 (Sat) -- Dec 15th, 2013 (Sun)
321 Ideuma Road, Unadilla
 (607) 563-9174
 A huge fully stocked farm store with weekly specials. www.icalpacas.com

Oneonta Farmers' Market
Dec 14th, 21st and 28th 2013 (Sat)
9:00 AM - 1:00 PM

 Main Street Plaza
 Oneonta, NY, 13820
 Open-air farmers' market offering local foods, including fruits and vegetables, grass-fed meats, poultry, eggs, cheeses, maple products, honey, chutneys and sauces, preserves, baked goods, and unique handmade crafts and jewelry. Live music, free tastings and special events.
 (607) 437-0158
www.oneontafarmersmarket.com

Christmas on the Farm
 Dec 14th, 2013 (Sat)
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
 Maple Shade Farm, Delhi
 (607) 746-8866
 Get into the Holiday Spirit with an old-fashion country Christmas on the Farm. Come shop our market full of handmade items, local gifts, gift baskets, meats, cheese, syrup, baked goods and more. Santa arrives 1-3 pm. Sledding if weather permits, seasonal music, trees, wreaths, hot cocoa and a crackling bonfire are sure to bring out the kid in you!
www.mapleshadefarmny.com



Ideuma Creek Alpacas Holiday Store
 Dec 21st, 2013 (Sat) -- Dec 22nd, 2013 (Sun)
321 Ideuma Road, Unadilla
 (607) 563-9174
 A huge fully stocked farm store with weekly specials. www.icalpacas.com

Fresh from the Catskills on the WIOX Watershed Wake-up Call 11/15/13

WELCOME: Beth McKellips, the newest face to the Pure Catskills buy local movement. Beth joins the Council as Farm to Market Coordinator on Monday, November 18.

REGISTER TODAY: 2nd Annual Harvesting Opportunities in New York: Growing Local Food Economies and Protecting Farmland hosted by American Farmland Trust of NY on November 20 at Hotel Albany; all-day event includes cider-doughnut breakfast and lunch for $90.

Over the last 25 years, nearly half a million acres of farmland, the equivalent of 4,500 farms, has been lost to housing developments, shopping malls and big box stores. In fact, over 80 percent of the fruits, vegetables and dairy products produced in New York are grown near urban areas and lie directly in the path of sprawling development. Join others across New York in supporting local farms and saving local farmland. Help grow local food economies, and meet others working to support the next generation of farmers. Registration Opens at 8:30 a.m. Download the Conference Brochure  and register today.

Conference Track 1: Buy Local
Conference Track 2: Save Farms in Your Community
Conference Track 3: Spread the Word
Conference Track 4: Farmland for the Next Generation of Farmers

Compliment your holiday meals with what's Fresh From the Catskills like this recipe for Winter Squash soup.

Oneonta Farmers' Market
November 16, 23, 30 (Saturday) 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Main Street Plaza, Oneonta 13820

Sullivan County Farmers' Markets Association: Callicoon

November 17 and 24 (Sunday) 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. 

Callicoon Creek Park, A. Dorrer Drive

Holiday Pop-Up Market
November 23, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. indoors at the Frank W. Cyr Center (Rexmere). This market is accepting vendors for this and the December 19th indoor market. 

Christmas at the Creamery
November 29-30 Friday 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Ideuma Creek Alpacas Holiday Store
November 30 and December 1
321 Ideuma Road, Unadilla

Look for the Catskills Food Guide on November 23: Pure Catskills members Flaca Vaca Farm, Dirty Girl Farm, Heather Ridge Farm, La Basse Cour. Top Tip from the Catskills Food Guide: Give the gift of CSA this holiday season.

Pure Catskills' Facebook Holiday Gift Giving & Buy Local Gift Idea Exchange: Join us for this Facebook event! Share your best kept secrets of local gift ideas, favorite foods and artisanal creations. We're gathering those to share in one easy-to-reference list along with our 2013 Pure Catskills Holiday Gift Guide. Pure Catskills members share what they have to offer; gift givers share their favorite places to shop. (Don'[t forget to "Like" our Page so you'll know when the master list is ready...)

Here are a few of our favorite ideas so far:

1) a handmade dust broom from Catskill Mountain Broomworks
2) Jams, chutneys and spreads from Barlow's General Store, Buck Hill Farm and Stone & Thistle Farm: What’s the difference? 
3) Holiday evergreens and wreaths from Stamford Greenhouse & Nursery, Maple Shade Farm and Cold Spring Farm. 

BONUS EVENT: Winter Tree Identification Hike on November 17 at Clearpool Model Forest, Carmel Cost: $10

Join us every other Friday for What's Fresh From the Catskills on the Watershed Wake-up Call on WIOX-FM 91.3FM.

Fresh From the Catskills on WIOX for the Week of October 18

KUDOS: Taste of the Catskills crew and Catskills Family Creameries

What's in season? Turnips, beets, Brussels sprouts, apples and pumpkins. Find the pumpkin picking patch nearest you and What's Fresh from the Catskills at Pure Catskills.com.

 

TODAY, 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.: Commercial production of cut flowers workshop at Cooperative Extension’s Resource Center, 34570 State Highway 10, Hamden. Floriculture specialist Dr. Chris Wien, Cornell University, will discuss cut flower production in the field and in high tunnels, including cool season crops for spring and fall. Cost is $10. FMI: (607) 865-6531 Janet Aldrich. Bring your own bag lunch. Beverages will be provided.

 

ALSO TODAY (and Saturday), 10-11:15 a.m.: Farming with Kids where children do farm chores like milking goats, feeding chickens, gathering eggs, grooming horses, etc. Adults: $5; children (age 4 and older): $4. Minimum of 5 people. No reservations needed. Apple Pond Farm, Callicoon Center (845) 482-4764

OCTOBER 24, noon - 1:30 p.m.: The Big Apple Crunch at SUNY-Delhi Farrell Student & Community Center Register online to be counted in the "crunch heard around the world." Grab an apple of your choice and join the Pure Catskills Crunch team. We're biting in at noon to "crunch an apple on World Food Day." The Big Apple Crunch is an attempt to set the world record for the "Most Participants in an Apple-Crunching Event."
OCTOBER 25, 10 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.: Pumpkin Production workshop with CCE-Delaware, funded by the Watershed Agricultural Council. Learn about nutrient requirements of pumpkins; the best methods for fertilizer application; using transplants and/or plastic mulch for pumpkin establishment; diseases; pumpkin pollination; weed and insect control. Pre-registration by October 18. Cost is $10. Coffee, tea and juice will be provided; bring a bag lunch. FMI: (607) 865-6531 Janet Aldrich.

FALL FARMERS' MARKETS STILL GONG STRONG:

Oneonta Farmers' Market: Saturday 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Barryville Farmers' Market: Saturday, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Saugerties Farmers' Market: Saturday 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. (last day of the season)

Lexington Farmers' Market: Sunday from 10 a.m. - noon (last one of the season)

Rosendale Farmers' Market: Sunday from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. (runs through October 27)

Sullivan County Farmers' Markets Association:

Callicoon Sunday 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Liberty on Friday 3-6 p.m.

Jeffersonville Thursday 3–6 p.m.

Monticello Farmers' Market : Monday 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. (through October 28)

Delhi Farmers' Market: Wednesday, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Morris Farmers' Market: Thursday 3-6 p.m. (through October 31)

 

Register Today for Free Marketing Webinar Series:  "Marketing for Profit: Tools for Success." Webinars have been designed with the assistance of regional and national marketing experts to provide critical marketing insights for farmers and farm markets throughout the northeast. The webinars are free and approximately 1.5 hours long.

 

OCTOBER 18-27: 3rd Annual Cider Week NY Tastings, classes, pairings and flights at more than 75 Restaurants, Pubs, Shops and Markets throughout the Hudson Valley! Cider makers across the country are spearheading resurgence of orchard-based libations, crafting distinctive hard ciders that pair well with food, can be enjoyed on their own or mixed into delectable cocktails. Visit Cider Week locations featuring Edible Friends like Peekskill Brewery, The Heron in Narrowsburg, Aroma Thyme Bistro in Ellenville, and Rhinebeck Farmers' Market.

OCTOBER 21: Art Start Academy at 1:30 p.m. at the Roxbury Arts Center, led by Anne Gohorel, Pure Catskills member of Bread Fellows. This monthly program brings families together as they work collaboratively on engaging art activities for newborns to four-year-olds and their adult companions.

OCTOBER 22: Deadline for photo submissions for the 2013 Catskills Farm Photo Contest, created by AgriForaging, Inc. and the Catskills Food Guide (Watershed Post) and sponsored by Spillian. Selected photos will be featured in the 2014 Catskills Food Guide and in a special menu at Spillian!

OCTOBER 24: Help Preserve the Local Harvest for Your Community 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. Volunteer with Farm Catskills, the Hobart Rotary Club and Hobart Food Pantry to preserve local harvest for the coming winter months.  FMI: Sonia Janiszewski (914) 720-1020

 

OCTOBER 24: Monthly Food Canning & Pickling Workshop Series: Freezing and Dehydrating (making jerky) 6 - 9 p.m. CCEUC’s Education Center, Kingston. This fun and informative workshop series teaches all the basics as well as the full range of products that can be safely preserved using boiling water bath and pressure canning methods.$15 per person/per workshop. FMI: Janie Greenwald (845) 340-3990

OCTOBER 25-26 Ghoulish fun for everyone!  Haunted House 3 - 8 p.m. at 76 Main Street, Stamford. Tickets: $5 Adults, $2 Youth

 

OCTOBER 26: Jack-O-Lantern Jamboree from 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. at Maple Shade Farm, Delhi. (607) 746-8866 Games, food, arts and crafts all with the pumpkin in mind. Toast a marshmallow over the bonfire and enjoy the stars. Costume contest at 6pm. Jack-O-Lantern lighting at 7pm followed by sky lantern launch and live music.

NOVEMBER 4: Lucky Dog Local Food Hub workshop series, "Producing for the Hub" from 10 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. at Lucky Dog Farm Store, Main Street, Hamden. Topics will include food safety, institutional connections, and packaging and billing for the Hub. FMI: Rebecca Morgan, CADE (607) 433-2545

 

Tune in on Friday, November 1 for What's Fresh from the Catskills on the WIOX Watershed Wake-up Call.

 

What's Fresh from the Catskills: Today's WIOX Watershed Wake-Up Call

 

KUDOS: to Marybeth and Chef Devyn Millls at Peekamoose Restaurant and Tap Room; Brooklyn Brewery reps Rick and Maya; and Helen, Kathleen and Nancy at Edible Hudson Valley magazine.

 

What's in season? Turnips, beets, brussel sprouts, apples and pumpkins. Find out more about What's Fresh from the Catskills at Pure Catskills.com.

 

TODAY: Catskills Local Government Day at the Frank J. Cyr Center, 159 W. Main Street, Stamford 12167

 

OCTOBER 5, noon to 5 p.m.: 3rd Annual Escapemaker's Local Food & Travel Expo at Brooklyn Borough Hall, 209 Joralemon Street. Pure Catskills features samplings of Cowbella yogurt, Shaver Hill maple syrup & sugar candies, as well as cheese from Catskills Family Creameries members Dirty Girl Farm and Betty Acres Farm/La Belle Fromage. We're working to get people to visit the region through their bellies -- what better way than sharing regional foods.

 

OCTOBER 5: Bethel Woods 3rd Annual Wine Festival features more than 20 regional wineries at Bethel Woods Center for the Arts. Enjoy a sampling of wine from the vine, as well as specialty foods, cheeses, music and craft vendors.

 

OCTOBER 5: Farmers markets still open in Oneonta, Pakatakan, Saugerties, as well as Monticello on Monday, October 7. Visit Watershed Post for the Pure Catskills Featured Farmers Market of the Week.

 

OCTOBER 9, 3:30 - 7:30 p.m.: Sheep & Goat Producer Group Farm Visit at Apple Pond Farm & Energy Education Center, Callicoon Center. This free farm tour features this diversified farm and dual purpose sheep, milk and meat goats. Sonja Hedlund and Dick Riesling will also share their knowledge of fiber, cheesemaking, renewable energy and agri-tourism. Transportation will be provided; call to reserve your seat in the van. This farmer education event is sponsored by the Council and CCE-Delaware. FMI: Kim Holden (607) 865-7090

 

 

OCTOBER 12-13, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.: Taste of the Catskills at Maple Shade Farm, Back River Road, Delhi 13753. This family-friendly event showcases the food, beer, crafts, and wine of our region. With a variety of vendors including farmers, value-added food producers, and restaurants, attendees learn how food travels from farm to fork during a fun-filled autumn weekend on the grounds of Maple Shade Farm, a family-run farm in Delhi. Each day’s events culminate with a dinner prepared entirely from local ingredients, paired with local beer and wine. Following dinner, a bonfire and barn dance will keep your feet tapping. On Saturday, stay for a tremendous fireworks display sponsored by the Delaware National Bank of Delhi. Join us at the Pure Catskills booth for a preview of the Pure Catskills Marketplace products. See, feel, TASTE for yourself the quality products available online. Catskills Family Creameries samplings in the educational barn second floor from Cowbella, Betty Acres Farm/La Belle Fromage, Dirty Girl Farm, Crystal Valley Farm, Byebrook gouda, Brovetto's Harpersfield cheese. Product available for purchase at the Maple Shade Farm Store and Good Cheap Food. Cost is $5, tickets will be available at the gate.

 

OCTOBER 14, 3-5 p.m.: Catskills CRAFT Meeting at Rondout Valley Organics at Rusty Plough Farm, Ellenville. Come for this free farm tour of Rondout Valley Organics, a collaborative CSA comprised of many farms in Ulster and Sullivan Counties. Oleh and Nadia Maczaj of Rusty Plough Farm will talk about their cooperative CSA model, give a farm tour, and lead a garlic planting workshop (so wear your work clothes!)! A potluck supper will follow. Sponsored the Council and Catskills CRAFT. Transportation available. Contact Eleanor Blakeslee-Drain, Farmhearts Fellow.

 

OCTOBER 18, 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.: Commercial production of cut flowers workshop at Cooperative Extension’s Resource Center, 34570 State Highway 10, Hamden. Floriculture specialist Dr. Chris Wien, Cornell University, will discuss cut flower production in the field and in high tunnels, including cool season crops for spring and fall; main season crops for summer; and Cornell’s cut flower trials. Shannon Algiere of the Stone Barn Center will cover the nuts and bolts of production, from seed to harvest. Local flower farmer Meg Kennedy, of Arc Floral in Mount Vision, will discuss the farm’s 20 years of direct marketing cut flowers. Anne Hart of The Cutting Garden in Youngsville, will discuss her experience in running a U-Pick cut flower farm operation. Cost is $10; pre-registration and payment are required by October 11. Call (607) 865-6531 for more information and directions or e-mail Janet Aldrich. Bring your own bag lunch. Beverages will be provided.

 

OCTOBER 19, 10 a.m. - noon: Kettlehole Bog Hike at Charles Perrin Learning Center, Clearpool Campus, Carmel. Cost is $10 for this nature trail experience and moderate-level hike. A recent wetlands study of Clearpool Model Forest uncovered a kettlehole bog, a fairly rare peatland habitat. Join an informative walk and talk on this very unique ecosystem! For more information, email Stacey Damiano or call (845) 225-8226 x 606.

 

 

OCTOBER 24, noon - 1:30 p.m.: The Big Apple Crunch at SUNY-Delhi Farrell Student & Community Center (or Crunch wherever you are) This event is free, but you have to register online to be counted. Be part of the "crunch heard around the world." Grab an apple of your choice and join the Pure Catskills Crunch team. We're biting in big at noon to "crunch an apple on World Food Day." The Big Apple Crunch is an attempt to set the world record for the "Most Participants in an Apple-Crunching Event."

 

The Pure Catskills Crunch team is looking for 1,000 (or more) hardy apple eaters so we can help GrowNYC reach 1-million apple eaters. The Big Apple Crunch is an attempt to set the world record for the "Most Participants in an Apple-Crunching Event."

 

OCTOBER 25, 10 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.: Pumpkin Production workshop with CCE-Delaware, funded by the Watershed Agricultural Council. Learn about nutrient requirements of pumpkins; the best methods for fertilizer application; using transplants and/or plastic mulch for pumpkin establishment; diseases; pumpkin pollination; weed and insect control. Pre-registration and pre-payment are required by October 18. Cost is $10. Coffee, tea and juice will be provided; bring a bag lunch. For more information or to pre-register, call (607) 865-6531 or e-mail Janet Aldrich.

 

Tune in on Friday, October 18 for the next What's Fresh from the Catskills on the WIOX Watershed Wake-up Call.

What's Fresh From the Catskills: WIOX-FM Recap

Today on the Watershed Wake-up Call we talk about What's Fresh From the Catskills; here's the topics we covered on WIOX-FM:

Clean Sweep September 20 and 21: As of this morning, 30 farmers and 24 businesses and municipalities are coming today, with another 352 households signed up for Saturday drop-off at this 17th annual community household hazardous waste redemption day. Kudos to our partners, Department of Public Works, CCE-Delaware and the funding from NYSDEC, NYCDEP and the County. Also a special thank-you shout-out to Sue McIntyre, Lorinda Backus, Kim Holden, Marianne Kiraly and several volunteers for their help in directing traffic.

Take the NY Locavore Challenge: September is Buy Local Month. Find out how to Eat, Learn, Grow and Advocate for the local food movement and a stronger food system. Then do your part.

Register for Catskills Local Government Day: Deadline is fast approaching, September 30. The annual event, sponsored by the Catskill Watershed Corp. is scheduled for October 4 at the Frank W. Cyr Educational Center, Stamford. Local town and board members, municipal employees, economic development advocates, and other community leaders should attend. Registration fee is $10 and includes continental breakfast and lunch. Seating is limited. To view the agenda and reserve a seat, visit www.cwconline.org, and go to Meetings/Events.

 

Morning workshops will cover E-Government for Small Municipalities, including websites, social media and the“Virtual Records Room;” an exploration of New York’s Regional Economic Development Councils and the Consolidated Funding Application process; Reducing Liability of Municipal Parks and Recreation, and a panel discussion with three parks and rec coordinators from the region.

 

Motivational speaker Doug Motel will offer a keynote address titled “Accentuate the positive: Putting more play into your work.”

 

After lunch, participants are invited for a short walk on a portion of the Headwaters Trail Network with Velga Kunzins-Tan and Doug Murphy of the Greater Stamford Chamber of Commerce.

Harvest Festivals: Check out the Pure Catskills blog post from September 4th with a county-by-county listing of events, u-picks and farmstands sharing the bounty of the season. Our picks for the next six weeks?

*  Sullivan County: Come taste Catskills Family Creameries goodies at Earth Day in Autumn at Bethel Woods on Sunday, September 22

* Delaware County: More CFC value-added products for the tasting at the Cauliflower Festival, Saturday September 29

* Greene County:  Four-day Oktoberfest I and II at Hunter Mountain on the 5th, 6th, 12th and 13th

* Otsego County: Susquehanna Valley Garlic Festival on September 21

* Schoharie County: Sharon Springs Harvest Festival on September 21 and 22

SAVE THE DATE:  October 24, The Big Apple Crunch: Register for the Pure Catskills-SUNY Delhi Crunch Team and be part of the "Crunch heard around the World!"

 

October 9, 3:30-7:30 p.m.  Sheep & Goat Producer Group Farm Visit to Apple Pond Farm & Energy Education Center, 80 Hahn Road, Callicoon Center, NY  12724. You're invited to tour this diversified farm to learn about dual purpose sheep, milk and meat goat. Sonja Hedlund and Dick Riesling share lessons in fiber, cheesemaking, renewable energy and agri-tourism. Transportation will be provided; call to reserve your seat in the van. Sponsored by the Council and CCE-Delaware. FMI: Kim Holden (607) 865-7090

Catskills Food Guide: Two weeks left! Advertise in the Catskills Food Guide --  Watershed Post is launching the Catskills Food Guide. Submit a free restaurant or local food online listing or buy an ad by Wednesday, October 2 at 5pm. Pure Catskills members get 20% off their ad purchase. To order, contact Julia Reischel 845-481-0155 More info here.